4-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

Itinerary

Day 1: CUSCO – PUMAHUANCA – PUYOC

Stop At: Sacred Valley of the Incas, 0051 Peru
Our first day of the Lares trek starts of in the small village of Pumahuanca in the Sacred Valley. We’ll gently make our way up one of the side valleys covering about 14km in total and climbing about 1150m / 3373ft as we make our way towards the village of Puyoc. On our way up we’ll visit the small Inca site of Pumahuanca and learn about the native plants, flowers and birds that inhabit this region.

This particular route for the Lares trek is not commonly done by other companies so we can enjoy the peace and tranquility of our surroundings without any distractions or disturbance. Because so few people visit the area there is a good chance of seeing Viscachas (a rabbitlike Chinchilla) and we may also spot Andean Fox. Our campsite for the night is at Puyoc (4100m / 13451ft); it’s quite barren at this altitude and it is not uncommon for it to snow up here during the dry season so gloves and a hat are recommended.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Campsite.

Day 2: PUYOC – YANACOCHA – CUNCANI

Stop At: Sacred Valley of the Incas, 0051 Peru
Today is the most spectacular day of the trek and quite a bit easier going than yesterday. From our campsite it’s about a 13km walk to the village of Cuncani but most of that is downhill as the pass is only about a 2 hour walk right at the beginning.

As we make our way to Cuncani we’ll pass by snowcapped peaks high above us, serene mountain lakes (including Yanacocha – Black Water) and get to meet the local people dressed in their traditional bright red clothing. This side of the pass is completely different culturally to the other side and as we wind our way down from the pass your guide will teach you about the people and their way of life. You’ll also get to learn a few Qhechua phrases so that you can interact with the local people.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Campsite.

Day 3: CUNCANI – LARES

Stop At: Sacred Valley of the Incas, 0051 Peru
The focus of today is to meet the local people. Waking up early we’ll be taken by our guide to one of the houses where we’ll get to meet a local family. The people are incredibly welcoming and are just as eager to learn about you as you are of them – hopefully by now you’ll have mastered a few phrases and be able to ask a few questions (much to everyones delight and amusement). After the visit you’ll have the opportunity to give any gifts you’ve brought for the local people and also to buy some of the locally made alpaca products that the region is famed for.

Leaving Cuncani it’s just a short distance (6km) until we reach the hot springs of Lares. Along the way we’ll pass through several small communities and see the people growing a variety of foods such as Quinua and Tarwi, we’ll also probably spot flocks of Andean parrots flying overhead (they’re easy to spot thanks to their piercing calls). After a relaxing dip in the hot springs we’ll be picked up by our bus and driven back to the Sacred Valley from where we’ll catch our train to Machu Picchu.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Golden Sunrise Hotel *** or similar.

Day 4: MACHU PICCHU!

Stop At: Machu Picchu, 08680, Peru
Waking up early we’ll take the first bus back up to Machu Picchu to enter the site as it opens. We’ll have a 2 hour guided tour of the site during which you’ll learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel. After your tour you’ll have an extra time to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain if you have the permits. In the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo from where you will carry on by bus back to Cusco.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.